Meeting Minutes May 2005

Jun 16, 2005 4:47 PM

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

MAY 19, 2005

Guest Speaker:   Evan Davis, Esq.

Former Counsel to Governor Mario Cuomo

Specialist in Conflict Resolution

Carolyn Herbst, Committee Chair, welcomed the Members to the last Committee Meeting of the school year.  It’s hard to believe, but it’s true!

She then introduced our guest speaker, Evan Davis, a lawyer who is in private practice.  Early on in his career, he was involved in politics, but now is a partner in a law firm in lower Manhattan.

 

Mr. Davis began by giving us an autobiographical sketch of his life, starting at age five, when he contracted polio in 1949.  He had to miss a year of school while he was being treated for this disease.  Today, with vaccinations given to young children here in the United States and western European nations, this disease has been virtually wiped out. However, back then, there were few remedies for polio, and many young lives were ended if the disease affected their respiratory system.  (Remember the iron lung?)

 

Fortunately for Mr. Davis, he was able to begin the first grade in 1950.  His mother and teacher formed a partnership to make his school life as normal as possible.  He was a “regular” student in a “regular” classroom.

 

However, in the third grade, not being able to participate in sports, he still was around his schoolmates, but as the umpire for the sports teams!

Having the advantage of being accepted by his schoolmates when young, he has maintained a strong commitment to accommodation, i.e. having people with disabilities being accepted in a regular setting. 

 

Mr. Davis went on to Harvard College, where he parked in Harvard Yard!  Yes, he had a car with hand controls.  At Columbia Law School, he parked wherever he wanted!  [And this is before the ADA.]  To enhance his law experience, he went on to clerk for Justice Potter Stewart of the Supreme Court.

 

Mr. Davis spent a summer as an intern in John Lindsay’s Administration.  After graduating from law school, he worked for Mayor Lindsay in the City’s finance department working on the budget.  From there he became head of the Law Department’s Consumer Protection Division for about three years.  Mr. Davis has found New York City to be a good environment for the disabled, as one can really get around.

 

John Doar, Chief Counsel of the Rodino Committee hired Mr. Davis to work on the Nixon impeachment committee. 

 

He always thought of himself as a problem solver, so when Mr. Davis went into private practice, he wanted to be a litigator, a courtroom lawyer.  He was confident that being in a wheelchair would not impede his professional ability in advocating for his clients.  Today, he is married, and the father of three children. 

 

What made his good life possible?

 

• his parents, his teachers, his association with others, and, his feisty temperament!

What was his biggest obstacle?

 

• Others’ discrimination and the prejudice of very low expectations directed towards the disabled.

There is always the fight against negative attitudes.

Of course, everything is not perfect.  There are still fights to fight:

•  The legislature:  Our representatives do not know how the disabled feel.  Yet, they make decisions on their behalf.

• Medicare:  Payment will be made for an electric wheelchair to get around the house…not to get around outside your home.

            [Like that is where you really need it!]

The community of the disabled is, for the large part, individuals who focus on their own needs, not those of others.  There should not be this insensitivity; instead, they should consider others’ problems and needs. In this way, the disabled community could work together to improve the laws, and make sure the laws are enforced. 

Mr. Davis continued, “Society is not responsive to non-obvious needs, [improvements need to be made]…to even the playing field…to maximize everyone’s ability to contribute to society”.

 

We are grateful that Mr. Davis shared his personal story with us.  He also took questions from our members.  Another important consideration of why things are not as good as they should be, is that the ADA, a federal statute, is not interpreted broadly.  It is necessary to strengthen the law so it will be more inclusive, and applicable to a greater number of people who are disabled.  Also, the courts are construing the laws very narrowly.  Mostly “right wing” judges are making these decisions.  On a good note, both our New York Senators, Schumer and Clinton, are in the forefront of judicial appointments.

 

Mr. Davis’ presentation gave us much to admire and think about. 

 

COMMITTEE NEWS

 

Gene Rubin gave his report.  He told the members that the Steering Committee was working diligently on the DISABILITY AWARENESS CONFERENCE that will take place on Saturday, October 29, 2005.  Our topic is “New York City at Your Doorstep”.  We will have some knowledgeable presenters from various cultural centers in New York, showing us in “media demonstrations” what is out there for our enjoyment, so that we can partake.  Interested?  Then we will expect you to come!

Gene distributed our tentative Steering Committee and General Meeting Schedule for the 2005-06 school year.  Please look on the reverse side of this page for your copy.

 

Abbe Nosoff said that the next Newsletter will hopefully be ready in June. Otherwise, July, and it will be mailed to our members.

 

Lastly, we thoroughly enjoyed our June Dinner at the Chiam Chinese Cuisine. Service, food, and friendships were wonderful. It is always nice to get together in a restaurant to dine and relate.

 

George, Gene, Abbe, Carolyn & I (Bonita, your faithful scribe), wish you a relaxing and healthful summer!

GF/ER:BG                                                                                                       (OVER)